Winning a major CCTV contract from one of Britain’s biggest bus operators in the teeth of significant competition is quite a coup for any business. However this is what CCTV specialist SURE24 achieved in October 2018, John Lewis reports
Last year SURE24, the Nottingham-based tech company inked a deal with Go-Ahead, one of the UK’s leading public transport providers, to provide on-board CCTV support services for all 5,000 of its UK buses.
Since Go-Ahead was founded in the 1980s, it has transformed itself from a small bus operator in the North East of England into an organisation which provides more than a billion journeys each year with its UK bus and rail services.
Responsible for around 30% of all train passenger journeys in the UK, Go-Ahead also currently operates four rail contracts in Germany. It is the largest operator of bus services in London, running around a quarter of the capital’s buses.
Outside of London, its regional bus services account for around 11% of the UK market.
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Securing the deal
“Winning the contract means we’re handling all the new installations, upgrades and replacements of existing systems as and when required,” said SURE24 founder, Amanda Howell.
“The contract also covers the ongoing maintenance of CCTV systems which includes WiFi routers for reporting and downloading,” she continued. “We have already made a huge impact by introducing our latest Live View technology, hosted by SURE Cloud.”
SURE’s in-house software development team has created Helpdesk, a platform that helps with managing the service and repair of vehicles within a multitude of fleets. Helpdesk fully integrates with Arepo Tracerit, Go-Ahead’s current depot operations management software, allowing SURE to automatically capture fleet repair jobs from this third-party system and assign engineers accordingly.
The multi-million pound CCTV agreement will run for three years. Thereafter there is the potential to extend it for a further year, and a further year after that.
A holistic approach
SURE24 was established in 2003, and began by supplying security systems to the police. It subsequently moved into installing CCTV in the blue light sector; traffic police vehicles, fire appliances, then on to buses and coaches.
“One of the big advantages we have over our competitors is that we have a flat management structure so we can make decisions quickly,” Amanda said. “We’re flexible and responsive.”
SURE sources best-of-breed products from well-known suppliers such as Timespace Technology, Stortech and Teltonika. It has a large portfolio of products ranging from off-the-shelf ready-to-fit systems or bespoke solutions tailor-made for the client.
Its holistic approach is key to delivering what the customer requires.
SURE has built up a close relationship with key manufacturers over the last decade, and with one supplier in particular; digital video recorder (DVR) specialist, Timespace.
Timespace offers rock-solid, premium products says SURE, with support and service for legacy equipment. James Bailey, who used to be Timespace’s Technical Manager, now works for SURE as its Technical Director.
Evolving technology
Winning the Go-Ahead contract involved demonstrating to the customer that SURE could provide the nationwide back-up it was looking for, and could put together the CCTV software support packages it required. SURE began investing a considerable amount into this project to ensure that all servicing and installation was carried out to above the industry standard set by competitors.
CCTV technology is evolving, with an ongoing debate as to whether it is better to fit IP (Internet Protocol) cameras or opt for AHD (Analogue High Definition) cameras instead.
The former offer a high level of image clarity, but are pricier than their standard analogue equivalents and require more DVR storage space.
Some operators like to fit a mixture, with IP cameras used to cover key locations – the passenger door for example – while their analogue counterparts are used to monitor the less-important areas. However such an arrangement requires a DVR that will handle feeds from both.
A typical installation has between eight and 18 cameras running from either the SURE MDVR or the Timespace V400/V500 DVRs.
Do operators want to be able to see what is happening on the bus remotely via the CCTV if an incident is ongoing? Some do, and want 4G.
“While most are running a WiFi-based infrastructure, we see 4G as a growth area and for some operators it is already an essential feature,” Amanda said. “Our default router offering includes WiFi and 4G so operators can easily add a SIM card later on if they require one.”
The SURE standard includes GPS tracking/speed and indicator/brake alarms. Optional CAN-bus data and low bridge warning systems are also available.
SURE can provide and advise on suitable technology to monitor an entire fleet from PSVs to engineering and support vehicles. Its recently-released SURE Enterprise software brings multiple depot systems together into one centralised management system.
Industry expertise
Developed internally with over £100,000 of investment, SURE Enterprise is an accumulation of years of expert industry knowledge that will be invaluable to operators when delivering CCTV footage quickly to the people who need it, says the company.
The implementation of SURE Enterprise consolidates the health of buses across the fleet from multiple sites thereby reducing manpower and facility costs dramatically, it adds.
These features can be deployed within an operator’s own network or on a secure cloud-based platform.
It is not solely the bus company that may need to see CCTV footage. The police and insurance claims handlers will want to view it retrospectively too if an incident has occurred.
“Encrypted access is granted to the relevant party to quickly download video evidence from the cloud, or instantly play back without the need to download,” Amanda said. “This is currently being rolled out to one of our major customers.”
With an annual turnover of £4m, SURE can also install static CCTV to cover bus stations and depots. It offers a whole host of other security products too, from personal alarms to body-worn cameras for lone workers and inspectors for instance.
The CCTV of the future
SURE is now offering an alternative to conventional coach and bus rear view mirrors in the shape of exterior rear-view cameras. It is a new concept which is fast becoming an industry must-have says SURE due to reduced vehicle damage/accidents and ease of use for the driver.
Images from each side of the vehicle are shown on monitors inside the cab. They do not need cleaning like traditional glazed mirrors and are at less risk of getting broken.
“Furthermore, the cameras automatically adjust themselves to changing light conditions,” Amanda said.
SURE fits new systems to vehicles during the manufacturing stage at bus builders
“One of SURE’s unique technology developments includes a remote commissioning kit that can be used to check that the CCTV is working properly,” she said. “The operator can view the CCTV images remotely and knows the system is functioning correctly before it gets delivered.”
Existing systems that may have been in place for a number of years can require maintenance and SURE is in favour of fitting technology that automatically reports their state of health to the operator every time the bus returns to the depot.
If a fault arises then SURE can deploy one of its mobile engineers through the SURE Helpdesk app to fix it.
“The only day they don’t work is Christmas Day,” Amanda said. “They’re out each night, typically starting at 0600hrs and finishing in the early hours.”
In other words, they can work on vehicles while they are back at the depot being cleaned and refuelled, or recharged; ready for another day’s work.
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